Richard "Dick" Cowardin

Richard Murrel "Dick" Cowardin passed away on October 29, 2025 in Yreka. He was 95 years old.
Dick was born to Murrel and Edna Cowardin of La Mesa, California. He served in the U.S. Air Force from 1952 to 1956 as a flight line firefighter. He then began working for the California Department of Forestry (CDF/Cal Fire) and retired after 34 years as a forester for the Siskiyou Unit.
Dick was an avid snow skier. He served as a volunteer ski patrol for several decades at both Mt. Ashland and Mt. Shasta. At 95 years old he made his last run down the slopes in February of 2025. On the slopes he was known as "Pops." His passion was working on the Alder Creek Divide Four Season resort. He had a vision of bringing a ski area and multi use year round resort to east Siskiyou County, and worked diligently on the project for over three decades. He truly believed the project would be great for Siskiyou County and had the potential to be one of the top resorts.
Dick enjoyed long bike rides and helped organize the first Siskiyou Centurion bike ride through the Shasta Valley.
Dick is survived by his daughter, Susie Carlstom and her son Terry Carlstom; brother, Dave Cowardin; step-daughter Cathie (Buker) Sabados and her sons Brian and Kevin McCanna; step-son Don Buker and his daughter Tiffany Buker; step-son Bob Buker and his children Tyler Johnson, Kayla (Buker) Colburn, Breanna Buker and Garrett Buker.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, November 22, 2025 at 2:00 PM at the Greenhorn Grange, 300 Ranch Lane in Yreka. Bring your photos and stories to share. Please make memorial contributions to Madrone Hospice, 255 Collier Circle, Yreka, CA 96097 (https://madronehospice.org/support).